Poll Time! The Case for CEO

[Jeff_AZ]

@ryan1

Time will tell.

@ryan1

As long as Iger can leave him be (unlike the micro-managing he was doing to Chapek).

Agreed on both of these points. It’s really hard to judge a head honcho based on how they performed as an underling. Two different things. I mean, he clearly has the managerial skills, but it’s a question of vision and leadership.

[SirGreggLadyV]

@ryan1

As long as Iger can leave him be

This. Iger was highly complicit in the cluster​ that ensued. It’s just that he’s much more charismatic than Chapek. It might have been alright if Covid hadn’t happened.

[janamelia]

@ryan1

So the question becomes, has D’Amaro just being “towing the line” (as prior manager I once had used to tell us we should do) under Chapek and Iger, but not really been brave enough to stick his job on the line to push for things differently, and now he will

There is at least one phone auto correct in the quote. Just in case some weren’t auto correct I leave this

https://www.vocabulary.com/articles/pardon-the-expression/toe-the-line-vs-tow-the-line/

[ryan1]

Good clarification! Actually, I had never written it out, so never realized it was toe not tow! Things that are good to know!!!

[janamelia]

I think the phrase isn’t used as much as it was.

Along with pipe down and sort yourselves out.

[PrincipalTinker]

@PrincipalTinker

hope you are right. Josh became the head of parks and experiences in 2020. I struggle to really think of any positive changes? I think we could all create long lists of things that have changed in order to create more profit at guest expense. Isn’t that what the poll items are about? Let’s add all the items he has monetized over the last six years such as FPs? (Paid as of 2021?)

Edited to add: he does smile, interact with guests, and many believe he is “good looking”. That does not mean he is a good leader, or more appropriate, not the leader we, the fan base, want. Although it appears he could be the leader the board and shareholder want.

How many days?

[melcort10]

“While the layoffs are noteworthy, they are a fraction of the size of the cuts overseen by former CEO Bob Iger when he rejoined the company. From 2023 to 2025, multiple rounds eliminated some 8,000 workers, achieving cost savings of $7.5 billion. The figure came in far higher than Disney’s initial forecasts.”

[PrincipalTinker]

So the better measure will be two years from now?

[melcort10]

I’m not sure what you are trying to measure.

Honestly, marketing consolidation sounds like a best case scenario to me in terms of layoffs. Obviously not for those involved, but it doesn’t impact the creative process.

[ryan1]

Given the current size of the work force of Disney, 1000 employees is really a drop in the bucket. Not that I don’t feel for those who were laid off (since I’ve experienced the stress of being laid off twice in the past 6 years), but that’s less than a half of a percent of their workforce, globally, and a little less than .7% of their US workforce.

The act feels a bit symbolic to me. D’Amaro needs to show the shareholders that he can add value to the company. If he plans to spend money on improvements to the parks (and, presumably elsewhere) then that money has to come from somewhere and not just eat into existing revenue. This act would show that he isn’t afraid to make the hard decisions, signalling he has what it takes.

[PrincipalTinker]

@ryan1

D’Amaro needs to show the shareholders that he can add value to the company.

I actually think that is exactly what he is doing and may continue to do.

@ryan1

If he plans to spend money on improvements to the parks (and, presumably elsewhere) then that money has to come from somewhere and not just eat into existing revenue.

I also agree with this too. My fear, is that he will resort to strategies he has used in the past- monetizing guest experiences. I hope I am very, very wrong.